Nashville, TN- #6 FGCU (10-21, 7-9) heads into their ASUN Quarterfinal game with #3 Lipscomb University (14-15, 8-8) as 6.5 point underdogs.
Overview:
FGCU and Lipscomb split their regular season matchups with FGCU winning the game on 1/4, 68-61, at Alico Arena and the Bisons took the road game at Allen Arena, 64-54. It’s an intriguing matchup between the two teams since the Eagles face Sophomore Center Ahsan Asadullah, the possible ASUN Player of the Year, Senior guard Michael Buckland, and first year Head Coach Lennie Acuff.
Stats:
Lipscomb averages 70.9 points per game. The Bisons shoot 44% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. Lipscomb averages 35.2 rebounds per game. The Bisons dish out 13.3 assists per game and defensively average 5.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. Lipscomb averages 13.0 team turnovers per game.
Breakdown:
FGCU needs to start out hot to stay in this game in the first ten minutes. The 15-2 run was key in the Eagles home win against Lipscomb. The Bisons are playing good basketball and beat Liberty in their ASUN regular season finale.
Asadullah came on in the 2nd half of the road game and limiting him will be difficult so it’s up to the Eagles to limit role players like Greg Jones, who went off against FGCU last game scoring a career high 24 points. With a 10 win season this year, how will the Eagles respond on the biggest stage in a conference championship quarterfinal game?
Players To Watch For:
6’8 SO C Ahsan Asadullah: 17.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg
6’1 FR G KJ Johnson: 12.0 ppg
6’5 SR G Michael Buckland: 10.5 ppg
Possible Starting Lineup (FGCU):
G-Caleb Catto
G-Jalen Warren
G-Zach Scott
F-Tracy Hector Jr
C-Justus Rainwater
Possible Starting Lineup (LU):
G-KJ Johnson
G-Michael Buckland
G-Andrew Fleming
G-Greg Jones
C-Ahsan Asadullah
Prediction:
LU 73 FGCU 65
Eagles Nest Cast 